Ship classification terminologies have always been in flux thanks to the constantly-evolving nature of naval warfare. The word “frigate” originally carried a connotation of speed and applied to ships not intended for the battle line;…
The Government Accountability Agency (GAO), an independent watchdog which is congressionally-mandated to audit various government programs and report on its findings, has released its evaluation of the Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program. The…
In 2014, the Daily Beast ran a damning article claiming that the F-35’s ground attack capabilities were inferior to those of older-generation fighter jets such as the F-16. The article’s criticism centered around the F-35’s…
In response to the budget-busting operating costs of high-end combat aircraft, light planes intended for lower-intensity operations have become popular among many of the world’s air forces. One of the most prominent examples is the…
Ever since the revolutionary F-117 Nighthawk made its flashy combat debut during the Gulf War, stealth technology has been a staple of popular media and a symbol of American military prowess. In recent years, other…
The F-35, America’s next-generation multirole fighter workhorse, is notorious for the long string of severe cost overruns and delays which have plagued the program since its inception. These unsavory shortcomings have contributed to intense press…
With rising tensions in East Asia, many countries are facing increasing pressure to bolster their militaries. Japan, however, is in a unique situation due to its post-World War II pacifism and reliance on America for…
From the slow, cramped tanks which traversed the Somme to the high-tech main battle tanks of today, armored vehicle design has made remarkable strides over the past century. However, there has been stagnation as of…
Update 11/23/2017: General Dynamics Bath Ironworks has teamed up with Navantia to offer a derivative of the F100/Fridtjof Nansen frigate family to the US Navy. See below for details on the Fridtjof Nansen class and…
This article was compiled with information from The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Ships of the World, The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, Jane’s Fighting Ships, and other open sources. It was…